John is a fan of the great outdoors and when the skies aren't stormy you'll find John with fishing rod in hand, headed for his favorite spot to toss out a line. He and his family are avid campers as well.

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What is a thunderstorm and what do they produce?

A thunderstorm occurs when a cloud producing a shower develops to a sufficient height and begins to produce lightning, and thus thunder.

Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms.

The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes.

Nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are occurring at any moment around the world. That's 16 million a year!

Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous.

Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes.

Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash flooding.

Strong winds, hail, and tornadoes are also dangers associated with some thunderstorms.

How do thunderstorms form?

Every thunderstorm needs moisture to form the clouds and thus the rain. They also need instability... this comes in the form of warm air near the surface rising rapidly, or instability due to the forcing of upwards motion.

Instability can be caused by fronts, sea breezes and mountains.

Life Cycle of a Thunderstorm:

Developing Stage: Towering cumulus cloud indicates rising air. Usually little if any rain during this stage. Lasts about 10 minutes. Occasional lightning during this stage.

Mature Stage: Most likely time for hail, heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes. Storm occasionally has a black or dark green appearance. Lasts an average of 10 to 20 minutes but may last much longer in some storms.

Dissipating Stage: Rainfall decreases in intensity. Some thunderstorms produce a burst of strong winds during this stage. Lightning remains a danger during this stage.

Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States, only about 10 percent are classified as severe. The National Weather Service (NWS) considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least 3/4-inch in diameter, wind 58 mph or higher, or tornadoes.

Thunderstorm Hazards:

Flash Floods/Floods: Nearly 140 fatalities each year occur due to flooding. This is the number one killer by natural disasters. Most flash flood deaths occur at night and when people become trapped in automobiles.

Lightning: All thunderstorms have lightning and all have thunder. If you hear thunder then lightning is occurring. Lightning kills 93 people a year and injures 300 more. It also causes several hundred million dollars in damage to property and forests annually.

Straight-line Winds: Most damage from thunderstorms is due to high winds that can exceed 100 mph. One type of straight-line wind, the downburst, can cause damage equivalent to a strong tornado and can be extremely dangerous to aviation. During the summer in the western states, thunderstorms often produce little rain but very strong wind gusts and dust storms.

Large Hail: $1 billion in damage to property and crops is cause by hail each year

Tornadoes: These violent storms can have winds that can exceed 200 mph. Over 1000 tornadoes occur each year in the US and it results in an average of 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries each year.

When are thunderstorms most likely?

Thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours but can occur year-round and at all hours. Along the Gulf Coast and across the southeastern and western states, most thunderstorms occur during the afternoon.

Thunderstorms frequently occur in the late afternoon and at night in the Plains states. Sometimes thunder and lightning can accompany snow or freezing rain. During the blizzard of March 1993, lightning resulted in power outages near Washington, D.C.

Who's Most At Risk From Thunderstorms?

From Lightning: People who are outdoors, especially under or near tall trees; in or on water; or on or near hilltops.

From Flooding: People who are in automobiles when flash flooding occurs near them.

From Tornadoes: People who are in mobile homes and automobiles.

What is Lightning?

The action of rising and descending air within a thunderstorm separates positive and negative charges. Water and ice particles also affect the distribution of electrical charge. Lightning results from the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charged areas.

Most lightning occurs within the cloud or between the cloud and ground.

The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.

A cloud-to-ground lightning strike begins as an invisible channel of electrically charged air moving from the cloud toward the ground.

When one channel nears an object on the ground, a powerful surge of electricity from the ground moves upward to the cloud and produces the visible lightning strike!

Lightning Facts

Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors.

Most lightning casualties occur in the summer months and during the afternoon and early evening.

The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000°F hotter than the surface of the sun!

The rapid heating and cooling of air near the lightning channel causes a shock wave that results in thunder.

In the past decade, over 15,000 lightning-induced fires nationwide have resulted in several hundred million dollars a year in damage and the loss of 2 million acres of forest.

In recent years, lightning has killed people while boating, fishing, and golfing. They have also been killed while swimming, mountain climbing and bike riding. People have even been killed while talking on the phone.

Lightning Myths and Facts

MYTH: If it is not raining, then there is no danger from lightning.FACT: Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.

MYTH: The rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning. FACT: Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.

MYTH: People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched. FACT: Lightning-strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information on CPR and first aid classes.

MYTH: "Heat lightning" occurs after very hot summer days and poses no threat. FACT: What is referred to as "heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction!

Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety

Before the Storm:

Know the county or parish in which you live and the names of nearby major cities. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county or parish basis.

Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended periods outdoors.

Watch for signs of approaching storms.

If a storm is approaching:

Keep a NOAA Weather Radio or AM/FM radio with you.

Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.

Check on those who have trouble taking shelter if severe weather threatens.

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately!

Move to a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles.

If a storm is imminent:

If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep windows up.

Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Use phones ONLY in an emergency.

Do not take a bath or shower.

Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors.

Get to higher ground if flash flooding or flooding is possible. Once flooding begins, abandon cars and climb to higher ground. Do not attempt to drive to safety. Note: Most flash flood deaths occur in automobiles.

If Caught Outdoors and No Shelter Is Nearby:

Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.

If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.

If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible, and minimize your contact with the ground.

If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!

What to Listen For:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch:

Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are more likely to occur.

Watch the sky and stay tuned to know when warnings are issued.

Watches are intended to heighten public awareness and should not be confused with warnings.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning:

Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.

Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

Also listen for Tornado Watch or Warning and Flash Flood Watch or Warning.